Furnace build thread

[Lawrence Duckworth]

No boring mill here. We'll see what happens with flipping them over and drilling from both ends

[Lawrence Ruskin]

Got them, and they were very well packed.

All elements intact even though fed ex put a nice ding in the side of the box.

Thanks

....L

[Lawrence Duckworth]

.............

[John Riepma]

I see you made your own boring mill Lawrence. It takes a determined guy to lay the head all the way over on a Bridgeport. Actually it's easy to get it down, a large pain in the ass to get it back up. Did you use the table feed to drill them or didn't you have a long enough drill?

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Both, all the spindle and the rest of the way with the table….power feed would’ve been nice. Everything fit good so it was worth the pain to set up.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

How's that dip stuff working out for you guys when changing pots and mollys? Is the stuff just to keep the insulation in place and If so what woild you folks think of using something like a fire blanket instead.

[Pete VanderLaan]

Jeez, we just used a 5/8th spade bit with an extension on a drill press.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Originally Posted by Pete VanderLaan

Jeez, we just used a 5/8th spade bit with an extension on a drill press.

3.875 over! How do you live with yourself...

[Pete VanderLaan]

Well, I've learned from bitter experience that the elements are really easy to break, your math not withstanding and that IFB expand when heated ...

[Lawrence Duckworth]

..so the math is good until ya flip the switch.

Are there any recommended torque specs for the support clamps and strap connections to the mollys. I’m worried they can be over tightened and crush the tubes.

[Pete VanderLaan]

I will look in the super Kanthal Handbook but I don't recall any. Make them good and snug if that helps. Once the thing has been turned on and run for two days, go back and tighten everything again. Use the Noalox but never on the elements.

[Jordan Kube]

The elements aren't hollow Lawrence. Don't worry about crushing them.

As far as having an element made up I guess it's a personal choice. It's one less thing I have to deal with when an element goes out. It's what I recommend to people when I do installations. Why waste fifteen minutes doing it when you can do it in five? It's also a bad time to have to hunt around for stuff, clear some space, etc. You know you've got one ready to go. The blowing session doesn't have to be totally lost.

[Rollin Karg]

I in the corner of having one ready to go and all the tools necessary in one place. Just in case it breaks at an inopportune time. Let's make it as easy as possible.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Ready for dip stuff and straps.

[Jordan Kube]

Forgive me for asking but how do you plan on getting those elements out? They look like they're completely fraxed over. I wouldn't cover any metal parts.

I agree with Jordon. Did you cut the frax out from around the top of the brick? The element would get too hot covered like that.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

There is one inch of insulation covering the ceramic/metal clamps. In the duckbill photos I have it appears to me to be covered in dip also... Its not a problem to cut the insulation out of the way if you guys think leaving them covered is a disadvantage.

[Pete VanderLaan]

It is a problem. If you leave them covered they will fail very quickly - possibly in less than two weeks if you run hot at all. The clamps and the straps need to be completely exposed and air cooled if you want any life from them at all. What you are doing is great for my boat payment plan, but it offers no other benefit at all. Steve and Brent built air cooling manifold which help keep the straps cool. I would strongly suggest you do the same.

Don't ever try to cover up metal with insulation in a furnace. It usually takes just a few days for it to vaporize.

[Tom Bloyd]

Rollin Karg posted a air cooled manifold awhile back. Look in the archives it looked pretty nice.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

See what you guys think of this.

Tom, i'll look at tat tonight...thanks. (just now learning to type with my thumbs)

[Pete VanderLaan]

That seems fine to me.

[Tom Bloyd]

Lawrence, it"s under the thread "moly cooling". If I wasn't such a ludite I would link you to it,but.......

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Originally Posted by Tom Bloyd

Lawrence, it"s under the thread "moly cooling". If I wasn't such a ludite I would link you to it,but.......

Thanks Tom, I found it. Good discussion and information, great photo of the strap connections too.



Transformer showed up today........could get ugly

[Hugh Jenkins]

I have to agree, electric gets ugly really quickly!!!

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Actually....electrical work is simple. It either works or it doesnt.